Looking for a handheld spotlight that lasts

[270SLX]

Can anyone recommend a good reliable handheld spotlight? I've gone through several. Seems they last but briefly and stop working. I'm looking for something in the 1.5 or 2 million candlepower range and will use it for spoting navigational aids on night trips. It doesn't have to be rechargeable. In fact, I'm thinking that feature is just one more thing to go wrong.
West marine has one that looked good but the user reviews indicated the same problem I've had. They worked 2 hours or for one day and then died.

Dennis

 

[Sea Gull]

I have had an Optronics Night Blaster 800,000 candle power plug in hand held light that has lasted 7 seasons and is still gowing strong. I am sure that the newer ones are stronger, but I find mine bright enough.

I'm not sure what you mean when you say they last 2 hours. My unit has not had 2 hours of use in 7 years. A second here, five seconds there, how much time could you put on one of these things? Are you turning it on and leaving it on for long periods?

 

[Stray Cat]

Dennis - It's against the law to shine for critters in trees! :grin:

I have a 1 million cp Brinkman plug in that has been with me for 7 years and has less than 8 hours on it. I'm not sure if they are even in business any more. I still carry it as a backup.

 

[widowmaker]

I bought a 1.5 million cordless unit for less than $20 a couple of years ago and it still works fine. I like the cordless type for convenience both in and out of the boat. I also has a ac charger/ hookup and 12V cigarette lighter plug in too. I just use to to spot something out and don't leave it on for more than a 10 to 20 seconds at a time.

 

[kg4vgh]

I bought the cordless west marine one 3 years ago, on sale.....came with 12v charger, 110 charger and extra battery...still going strong...holds a chage pretty well also...
Pete

 

[Dave M.]

I have had an Optronics Night Blaster 800,000 candle power plug in hand held light that has lasted 7 seasons and is still going strong. I am sure that the newer ones are stronger, but I find mine bright enough.

I'm not sure what you mean when you say they last 2 hours. My unit has not had 2 hours of use in 7 years. A second here, five seconds there, how much time could you put on one of these things? Are you turning it on and leaving it on for long periods?

I use mine on and off the boat, and there certainly are times when it is on for more than a few seconds. "Ma, cows are out! "comes to mind.

My first one, from WalMart, did not last very long. I took it apart to see why. I found the switch, which is built to pull like a pistol trigger, depends on your finger pressure to hold the contacts closed. And they were very cheap. So if you don't squeeze hard enough, or they start to get pitted and resistive, then they create heat. Mine heated and melted the plastic piece that held the contacts, so it was junk.

If the Optronics you mention has a real switch, I think it would be significantly better.

 

[Sea Gull]

My Optronics has the same trigger type switch. Never shined it on a cow though (and that's no bull :grin: ).

 

[270SLX]

I only use it for short blasts on the boat for finding nav aids. Off the boat, I have a variety of flashlights including a 3 cell SureFire.

Maybe I've just had bad luck. Plus, I could always get out the old volt/ohm meter and trace the circuit to see what's bad. But, for a $29 device, I'll probably just replace it.

I did take it camping once and one of my drunk buddies spotlighted a DNR game warden with it. Not funny. Maybe it wasn't funny because I can't get drunk. (Migraine problem.) Anyway, the game warden kept his distance. Guess he didn't need the hassel of a bunch of drunks on that particular evening.

I think I'll try the Optronics or the West Marine w/out the recharge feature.

Thanks for the replies.

Dennis

 

[keokie]

I have an Optronics 400,000 candlepower "blue eye beam". For what it's worth I've had it for years and have used it a lot. I shines through water haze very, very effectively. In fact, much better than any other spotlight of any candle power I have seen. It has an On/Off button, is corded and was bought from West Marine for like 30 bucks.